It was a bright morning.
Soft golden light slipped through the curtains, gently falling across Vani’s face. She stirred slightly, turning to the other side, trying to hold on to her sleep just a little longer.
But the warmth of the light and the distant sounds of movement in the house slowly pulled her out of her dreams.
With a small sigh, she opened her eyes.
For a moment, she simply stared at the ceiling, her thoughts calm, her heart unusually light.
She didn’t know why…
But today felt different.
Pushing the blanket aside, she sat up and stretched lazily. A faint smile appeared on her lips as she looked around her room—everything was the same, yet something in the air felt… warmer.
“Maybe it’s just a good day,” she murmured softly.
After getting out of bed, she made her way to the bathroom. The cold water splashing against her face woke her up completely. She quickly got ready, tying her hair neatly and putting on her uniform.
As she adjusted her bag on her shoulder, she took one last look in the mirror.
"Okay...let's go," she whispered to herself.
Downstairs
The aroma of fresh breakfast filled the house as she walked Downstairs.
"Maa...papa... good morning," she said cheerfully.
Her parents looked up and smiled warmly.
"Good morning, beta ," her mother replied.
"Good morning," her father added, folding the newspaper.
Vani sat down, picking up a glass of water.
But something felt.... off.
Her mother was smiling in that way that felt secretive.
Maa?” Vani narrowed her eyes playfully. “Why are you smiling like that?”
Her mother exchanged a quick glance with her father before turning back to her.
“Vani… we have a surprise for you.”
Vani’s eyes widened instantly.
“A surprise? What surprise? Tell me na!” she said excitedly, almost standing up.
“Arre, patience,” her father chuckled.
“Bas… wait a second,” her mother said, clearly enjoying this.
Vani crossed her arms, pretending to be annoyed.
“This is not fair…”
Just as she was about to say something—
“Surpriiiiise!!”
A loud voice echoed from the entrance.
Vani froze.
Her heart skipped a beat.
Slowly… she turned around.
And then—
Everything stopped.
Her eyes widened in shock, then filled with disbelief.
"Vihaan...?" she whispered.
“…Kiara?”
Before her mind could process anything, her feet started moving on their own.
She ran.
Straight towards them.
And the moment she reached, she threw her arms around both of them, hugging them tightly as if they might disappear again.
“I missed you both so much…” her voice broke slightly.
For a second, no one spoke.
Then vihaan laughed softly, wrapping his arms around her.
“We just wanted to surprise you… but we didn’t expect you to start crying.”
“Shut up!” Kiara said, hitting his arm lightly.
Vani quickly wiped her tears, trying to act normal.
“Main ro nahi rahi hoon… bas emotional hoon,” she said, though her voice still trembled.
(I'm not crying... Im just emotional)
Kiara smiled and hugged her again.
“We missed you too.”
"Aree teenon apass mein hi milte raho ke kya, Hume bhi milne so" said Kiara's mother.
They both ran towards her and vani mother.
Vihaan and Kiara hugged them tightly.
Kiara’s father lovingly patted her head before placing a hand on Vihaan’s shoulder.
Seeing this, Vani’s father followed with a soft smile, repeating the same gesture.
The family then sat together for breakfast, the room filled with laughter and warmth.
The house was louder than usual.
Laughter echoed through every corner.
Breakfast turned into chaos within minutes.
“vihaan, don’t take my toast!” Kiara snapped.
“Too late,” he grinned, already eating it.
“Maa, see him!” she complained.
“Tum dono kabhi nahi sudhroge,” her mother shook her head.
Vani sat there, watching everything.
Smiling.
Laughing.
Living.
For the first time in so long…
She wasn’t thinking about anything else.
No worries.
No fears.
Just this moment.
For a brief second, her smile faded.
A strange feeling passed through her heart.
As if…
This moment was too perfect.
Too fragile.
She looked at everyone again.
Laughing. Fighting. Smiling.
And a thought crossed her mind—
What if… this doesn’t last forever?
She shook her head immediately.
“No… don’t think like that,” she whispered to herself.
Taking a deep breath, she forced a small smile back onto her lips and picked up her bag.
“Vani! You’re getting late!” her mother called from the kitchen.
“Coming!” she replied quickly.
She turned once more before leaving, her eyes falling on everyone again—still laughing, still arguing over the smallest things.
A soft warmth filled her chest.
This is my home… she thought.
And then she stepped out.
The morning air felt fresh against her face as she walked down the familiar street.
Everything seemed normal.
The same houses.
The same people.
The same रास्ता she had walked countless times before.
But today…
Something felt different.
She couldn’t explain it.
It wasn’t fear.
It wasn’t sadness.
Just a strange heaviness in her heart… like a quiet warning she couldn’t understand.
She tightened her grip on her bag and continued walking.
“Maybe I’m just overthinking,” she muttered.
The school gate came into view.
Students were rushing inside, some laughing, some complaining about homework.
Vani stepped in, blending into the crowd.
“Vani!” a voice called out.
She turned to see Shreya and Arushi running towards her.
“Finally! Where were you yesterday?” Shreya asked.
“Yeah, you disappeared,” Arushi added.
Vani smiled, trying to act normal.
“Nothing, just at home… you know.”
They both looked at her suspiciously for a second—
Then shrugged it off.
The school bell rang loudly.
Come on, we’ll be late!” Shreya grabbed her hand and pulled her along.
The class was unusually noisy.
Students whispering.
Passing notes.
Laughing.
Vani sat down at her seat, placing her bag beside her.
But her mind…
It wasn’t there
That strange feeling from earlier hadn’t gone away.
If anything—
It had grown stronger.
She looked out of the window.
The sky was clear.
Too clear.
As if nothing could go wrong.
And that’s what scared her the most.
After the period
Okay class, revise this at home,” the teacher said before leaving.
As soon as she stepped out, the classroom became noisy again.
“Finally!” someone said.
“I’m so hungry,” another complained.
Vani leaned back slightly, letting out a small breath.
“Vani,” Shreya called from beside her.
She turned. “Hmm?”
“You’re quiet today,” Arushi said, observing her carefully.
“Yeah, lost somewhere?” Shreya added.
Vani gave a small smile.
“No… nothing like that. Just thinking.”
“About what?” Arushi asked.
“Nothing important,” Vani replied quickly, avoiding their eyes.
They both looked at her for a second—
Then let it go.
“Okay fine,” Shreya said, “but you’re telling us later.”
Vani just nodded.
🎇
The bell rang, and students rushed out of their classrooms.
Vani walked with Shreya and Arushi towards the ground where their group usually sat.
The place was already filled with students talking, laughing, sharing food.
She sat down quietly beside them.
“Here,” Shreya handed her a snack.
“Thanks,” Vani said softly.
They started talking about random things—school,
homework, teachers.
Vani tried to stay involved.
She smiled when they laughed.
She replied when they spoke.
But somewhere…
She still felt that same uneasiness.
🎇
Hey…”
A voice came from behind.
Vani turned slightly.
Eshaan stood there, looking at her.
“Why are you so quiet today?” he asked.
“I’m not,” she replied quickly.
He raised an eyebrow.
“You are.”
She didn’t respond.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then he sat down near them casually.
“Overthinking again?” he said lightly.
Vani looked away.
“Maybe.”
He gave a small smile.
“You should stop doing that.”
The conversation around her continued.
Voices. Laughter. Normal things.
But Vani’s fingers tightened slightly around her bag.
Her heart felt… restless.
She looked around.
Everything seemed normal.
Too normal.
And that’s what made it feel strange.
✨
Classes ended.
Students started leaving in groups.
Vani walked out of the school with Shreya and Arushi.
“See you tomorrow,” Arushi said.
“Bye,” Shreya waved.
Vani nodded and started walking home alone.
The sky had started to change colors.
The air felt quieter now.
And with every step—
That strange feeling inside her grew stronger.
She slowed down slightly.
Her eyes moved around the street.
For a second…
It felt like someone was watching her.
She stopped.
Turned around.
But there was no one.
“Maybe I’m just overthinking again…” she whispered.
Still—
Her heart didn’t feel at ease.
And deep inside…
She knew.
Something wasn’t right.
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
So this chapter ends here .
Your author
Noorie
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